Oct 3 The Armor of God-- Belt of Truth

**As we prepare for Retreat coming up on November 8, we are thrilled to introduce our speakers to you through this blog series on the Armor of God.

Hi, y’all! I’m Lara. I’m Grace’s mom, Ari’s wife, a friend, a daughter and a believer in the “impossible.” I am the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Southern Weddings, where our goal is to encourage couples to plan a meaningful beginning to married life. I believe that a marriage built on a solid foundation -- or one that is rebuilt on new ground -- can change the world. I believe this because God redeemed my marriage and turned my life completely upside-down by His truth and grace.

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…” (Ephesians 6:13-14 ESV).

The very first piece of armor God chose to list is truth, or sincerity. No matter what pieces of armor we put on — no matter how much of the Bible we know, or how deep our faith is — none of it matters without a heart of sincerity. A heart that is for Him. A heart that accepts humility as a gift because His ways are better than ours. A heart changed by grace.

For me, it took a time of deep refining in my life to get my attention. My marriage was falling apart, and I was living for whatever felt good at the time. I chased the world’s idea of “perfect” instead of the One who is perfect. Now, when I find myself wavering or worrying, all I have to do is think about what He has already done. I think of how much God has redeemed my life from the depths — how different everything is now — and I am strengthened. My armor is firm.

Lara Casey is an amazing woman of God who, among other things, is passionate about helping people figure out what makes them come alive. You can learn more about her and the work she's doing by visiting her site or connecting with her via Instagram and Twitter.